There comes a time when you think about your legacy and wonder if you are leaving a legacy of love.
The other day I mentioned to a friend that I’ve pledged to have my body donated after death. And if that didn’t happen, I’d like to be cremated, and not leave others with the responsibility of tending to my grave. This is especially so because we have no kids.
He responded by asking me, why I thought no one would care enough. No, I haven’t changed my mind about donating my body, but I’ve thought a lot about the legacies we leave. I’m sure you know by now that I reflect on this quite often.
The world we live in today is one in which we are often so disconnected from each other, despite being ‘connected’ all the time. Sometimes, I believe we’ve forgotten the importance of truly paying attention to the people we talk to or connect with. How often, we’re on our devices while someone talks to us. I know I do it.
Today, I do believe that the words of Maya Angelou and the prophecy of the Hopi Elders is calling us to leave a legacy of love. To build hope. To make deep connections. To form community.
#FridayReflections
If you are new to Friday Reflections, here’s what it’s about. It’s the end of the week, you’re probably exhausted with work, and all you want to do is sit back, put your feet up, sip on some fancy cocktail or wine, and write away. Sanch of Living My Imperfect Life and Everyday Gyaan give you writing prompts and all you have to do is choose any one of those prompts to blog about and link up between Friday and Monday. After you link up, be sure to spread the love by visiting other bloggers who have linked up too.
Feel free to add our Friday Reflections badge to your post or sidebar! Follow us on Twitter @FridayReflect and join our Facebook Group. Share your post on social media with the hashtag #FridayReflections.
Prompts for 23 Dec 2016
1. What’s the meaning of Christmas to you?
2. Share some favourite Christmas memories.
3. Favourite festival to celebrate.
4. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou. Use this in your post or as an inspiration for your post
5. Picture Prompt (credit: Living my Imperfect Life)
Image credit: Red heart via Shutterstock
The words of Hopi Elders are full of wisdom….a wisdom we often tend to overlook…..I loved the last line – don’t look outside for the leader…..I am going to explore more on Hopi community….haven’t read about them….The legacies that we leave ought to be the ‘values’ we stand by when we are alive…..Those values, of love, of joy, of ‘connecting’ in this fast-disconnecting world are going to help our children…..This is a beautiful post, and it makes this morning of mine promising….Thanks for the inspiring words….
I’m glad this resonated with you, Sunaina. I run the risk of repeating myself so often, mostly because I feel strongly about certain things.
I think, despite our being on social media with each other, we are (in some ways) increasingly isolated. We need to be told, in person, “You are valued.” Those people who can do that, and make people feel that their existence matters, are the ones who will be remembered. The Hopi elders are wise.
You’re very right. I would like to be remembered as someone who took the time to make another feel important and loved.
I’ve always loved that quote by Maya Angelou. I’ve come back to it time and time again over the years…. especially when I think about how I want to reach the children in my care as a teacher. I’ve not heard of Hopi Elders. You’ve given me someone new to explore! Merry Christmas Corinne. x
Never thought about it, Corinne. You know, I think for us our blogs and our work, however significant or insignificant, will be the legacy we leave, even if for just a fleeting moment of time.
It’s interesting and it’s been something I have been pondering about lately. Like you, I don’t have children and don’t plan to and it has made me wonder, what it is that I will leave behind when I’m gone. What kind of person do I want to be remembered as? What legacy can I leave? I agree with you on connections but I’m finding it harder and harder in the real world. However, I’m hoping to push through and build it up in the upcoming year. Hope you’ve had a good holiday season and best wishes for the year ahead!